Hofstra legend Speedy Claxton brings his Pride (4-1) into the Fertitta Center to take on the Houston Cougars (3-1) for a Friday night showdown. The Coogs have not played in over a week and will face Alabama in their next game in the Players Era Tournament in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. It would be easy for a team to overlook Hofstra in this game, but Kelvin Sampson and his staff will not allow that.

Hofstra features a three-headed monster of starting guards: Jean Aranguren, Cruz Davis, and Jaquan Sanders. The trio averages 50 points per game between them and are all athletic, crafty guards. They are at their best getting into the paint to score or kick out to one another for an open three. I believe the Houston “blitz” will bother them and cause them to turn the ball over at a high rate.

Their big men are not athletic enough to stop the UH post players on either end of the court. It could potentially be a Friday night block party for the Houston big men. Hofstra has big bodies in the post, but they don’t move very fast. I would force-feed the ball to J’Wan Roberts and let him eat.

If the Cougars are focused, it could be a blowout, but if they underestimate the Pride guards, it could be a rock fight, especially early on. Hofstra is 4-1 with a win over Seton Hall and a close loss to Florida State. They are well-coached and likely won’t stop fighting.

Head of the Snake

Any of the three above could be their Head of the Snake, but I will feature Jean Aranguren as my Head of the Snake for this one. He is a crafty guard who uses his length and skill to make plays in the paint. He can make the three-pointer and doesn’t mind taking risks on defense to get a steal. I would look for the Coogs to eliminate him as a threat.

Hofstra Offense Notes

• They love to attack the paint;
• Defensive pressure gives the Pride fits;
• I think the blitz on the pick and roll could give Hofstra some major issues;
• Watch out for back-door cuts vs pressure defense;
• The Hofstra big men struggle to set clean screens. Try to sell the illegal screen (refs love to call them).

Hofstra Defense Notes

• Houston post players need to rim-run in transition. They struggle a bit in defensive transition;
• The Coogs need to feed the post early and often. Hofstra struggles vs. scoring bigs and lobs at the rim;
• They may try a half-court 1-3-1 zone defense when Silas Sunday is in the game;

Hofstra Personnel

*#7 Jean Aranguren – 6’3″ SO Guard

• Head of the Snake
• 18ppg, 7rpg, 5apg;
• Thin/three-level scoring guard;
• Really good when getting in the paint on offense;
• Solid catch and shoot three-point shooter.

*#2 Jaquan Sanders – 6’4″ JR Guard (Seton Hall)

• 15ppg, 3rpg;
• Bulky/Very solid three-point shooter. Has made 17 three-pointers in 5 games;
• Speedy Claxton says he is their best three-point shooter;
• Can make the three-pointer from DEEP.

*#5 Cruz Davis – 6’3″ SO Guard (Iona/St. John’s)

• 15ppg, 4rpg, 4apg;
• LEFTY;
• Plays like a NYC guard, but he’s from Texas;
• Loves to back-door cut. I think it will lead to UH steals and fast breaks;
• Excellent at driving to the basket. Draws a ton of fouls and is a great FT shooter;
• Solid three-point shooter. Can make the step-back three-pointer.

*#1 TJ Gadsden – 6’7″ SR Guard (George Mason/ Canisius)

• 3ppg, 5rpg;
• Long/rim attacking wing;
• Capable three-point shooter.

*#12 – Michael Graham 6’8″ GR Forward (Elon/ Loyola Marymount)

• 8ppg, 6rpg;
• Big body post player;
• Sell the illegal screen when he sets them;
• Not a great offensive threat, but he likes the baby-hook shot with either hand (better w/right);
• Not overly athletic, I think the UH bigs should eat on offense.

#33 Silas Sunday – 7’0″ JR Forward (Iona)

• 4ppg, 3rpg;
• HUGE body post player;
• Not very quick or athletic, but takes up a lot of space in the paint;
• Not a major offensive threat. Will shoot/dunk if wide-open and has decent baby-hook shot;
• Solid defensive rebounder. Hard to get around him;

#0 KiJan Robinson – 6’3″ SO Guard

• 7ppg, 2rpg;
• Solid three-point shooter;
• Capable of making a move in the paint;
• Looks to bring an offensive spark off the bench. PRESSURE HIM!

#4 Joshua DeCady – 6’8″ FR Forward

• 4ppg, 2rpg;
• Athletic/aggressive forward; Very raw freshman;
• Needs it in his right hand to score in the post…Force him left;
• Really poor shooting touch.

#25 German Plotnikov – 6’5″ SR Guard (North Platte CC)

• 0.4ppg, 1rpg;
• Tall skinny wing/guard;
• Bully him on both ends of the court.

#3 Khalil Farmer – 6’3″ RS SO Guard

• 0ppg, 1rpg;
• Plays limited minutes;
• Likes to shoot the three-pointer when he gets in the game.

Keys to Victory

1. Don’t underestimate them. They have already beaten some really good teams.
2. Their guards will look to attack the rim first and kick to a shooter if they are cut off.
3. Pressure them on defense. They have not seen a defense like UH. They will turn it over at a high rate against high-pressure defense.
4. Play through the post. Feed it inside early and often and let J’Wan, Ja’Vier, and Jojo eat.
5. Let the bench players play. Hofstra has a solid team and will allow the guys coming off the UH bench to play against solid guards.